THE family of a man stabbed to death have issued an emotional appeal urging people to help police bring his killer to justice.

Dwayne Forrester, 21, was found injured in Little Garth, Pitsea, at around 8.45pm on Saturday, July 7.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Dwayne sadly died shortly after being rushed to Basildon Hospital.

A murder investigation was launched by the police and a post mortem examination found he had suffered a single stab wound to the chest which proved fatal.

Two months on from his death, his family, who described him as a “sweet, loving boy” who “loved to laugh”, have spoken out in a bid to help the police investigation.

Dwayne’s dad, Winston, said they’re struggling to come to terms with his death.

He said: “Every day you wake up and you’re looking through the window thinking he might appear.

“We’re in pain and we will be for a long time but if we know a bit further what happened we might feel a little better.”

Police have carried out a number of high-profile campaigns in the area where Dwayne was killed, including multiple door-to-door enquiries and search warrants.

Dwayne was the youngest of three children and his siblings say they cannot believe fact that he has been taken from them.

His sister Sophia said: “When you’re all growing up as a family you don’t imagine one of you isn’t going to make it, that one of you is not going to be here, especially the youngest.

“You don’t expect someone to take him from you like that.”

His brother Alton Brown, who is a martial artist training to compete in the 2020 Olympics, said the news of Dwayne’s death was a complete shock.

Alton added: “My mum called me and the first thing she said was ‘I’m really sorry Alton but Dwayne’s not with us anymore’ and I cannot describe how sick I felt.

“My stomach just fell out. I couldn’t think straight.

“I called my wife, she had a real soft spot for Dwayne so she was in tears on the phone.

“It hurts so much to think there’s people out there who think it’s okay to do something like this.

“Since Dwayne’s died I feel like my heart has literally stopped.

“We’re going about our business and doing all the things we have to but actually there’s a big part of me that just feels frozen really.”

Echo:

In the aftermath of his murder, Essex Police quickly determined that Dwayne’s death may be linked to drug dealing in the area.

But his family urged people to allow them to remember him as the “loving boy” he was and the best things about him.

In a joint tribute shared after his death, Mr Forrester’s family said: “Dwayne will be remembered by all of us as a loving boy who enjoyed being with his family and was patient and kind with his young nieces and cousins.

“We know Dwayne had a troubled past, but we will always remember that he wanted to do the right thing for people and help whenever he could.

“He always made time to cuddle his mum and dad.

“He loved his music, football and computer games and dreamed of being a train driver since he was very young.”

Since the news of his death broke, some online reports have referenced Dwayne’s history of drug dealing in 2016.

His family added: “We ask that we are given time to come to terms with this devastating news and to allow us to remember our sweet little boy as we knew him.”

His mum Jackie is urging anyone with any information which may lead to answers about her son’s death to come forward and help the investigation.

She added: “That person could go out and do the same to somebody else.

“It could be your child, it could be your cousin, it could be someone dear to you.

“We really miss our Dwayne and we’re never going to have him back again, we only have the memories. That’s my youngest child, 21 years-old, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone else.”